San Diego —CBP U.S. Border Patrol agents prevented four narcotic smuggling attempts along Interstates 15 and 5 this week resulting in the seizure of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana worth an estimated $974,560.

	click for hi-res A vehicle search revealed 16.76 pounds of cocaine inside the spare tire.

On Monday at about 2:45 p.m., Border Patrol agents stopped a 39-year-old male Mexican national driving a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer on the I-15 north near Temecula. Agents questioned the individual and a subsequent search revealed a large purple container in the cargo area that contained 15 bundles of methamphetamine. The narcotics weighed 22.93 pounds and had an estimated street value of $458,600. The suspected smuggler and drugs were taken into custody and turned over to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

On Wednesday, Border Patrol agents at the San Clemente checkpoint made three drug seizures within a five-hour period.

The first incident occurred at around 12:30 p.m. when agents encountered an 18-year-old male United States citizen driving a 1999 Volkswagen Beetle. A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert. A subsequent search revealed six bundles of cocaine inside the vehicle’s spare tire. The bundles weighed a total of 16.76 pounds and had an estimated street value of $184,360. Agents arrested the suspected smuggler and booked him into the San Diego County Jail.

The second incident on Wednesday occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. Agents conducting routine checkpoint activities became suspicious of an 18-year-old male United States citizen driving a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse. A K-9 team was summoned to perform an inspection that resulted in a positive alert. A vehicle search by agents revealed 11.57 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in the rear seat. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $231,400. The drugs and suspected smuggler were taken into custody and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

	click for hi-res A search of the Mitsubishi Eclipse revealed 11.57 pounds of meth valued at $231,400.

The third event of the day occurred at about 5:15 p.m. when agents at the checkpoint encountered a 25-year-old female United States citizen driving a 1993 Honda Accord. A K-9 alerted to the vehicle and agents discovered 66.80 pounds of marijuana concealed inside of the front and rear seats. The marijuana had an estimated street value of $100,200. The subject and drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The vehicles used in all four suspected smuggling events were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

To prevent illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on major corridors of egress away from our nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.